Porto’s culinary scene, with its blend of traditional dishes, unique Francesinha sandwich, and refreshing green wine, offers a rich gourmet experience.
On a Porto food tour, you’ll explore the city’s top cafes, bakeries, wine bars, and food markets, guided by a local.
+ Show Summary
Top Pick: The best food tour in Porto.
Next Best: An alternative you might like.
Petiscos Tour: A great way to sample a variety of local dishes.
Douro Valley Wine Tour: Why you should avoid this.
Local Specialties: Portuguese food and culture.
Porto Food Tour
You’ll taste specialties like pastel de nata and petiscos, learn about Porto’s culture and history, and wander through the old town’s landmarks.
Having enjoyed my own food tour experience, I’m excited to share my recommendations if you’re looking to discover Porto’s local food scene.
My Recommendation
Porto Food and Wine Walking Tour- Duration: 3 hours
- Tastings: 5+
- Suitable for vegetarians: Yes
By far the most popular and best food tour in Porto is this 3-hour walking tour through the Old Town. You will start with Portuguese coffee and a pastry then go on to try local specialties from various cafes, markets and artisan shops. You’ll finish with a wine and port tasting at a traditional bar and get tips on where to eat out for the rest of your stay. You’ll have the opportunity to try the famous pastel de nata custard pastry, bacalhau (dried cod), a bifana sandwich, Portuguese cheese, green wine and more.
Features:
- 3-hour walking tour.
- Portuguese pastry and local specialties.
- Wine and port tasting.
- Restaurant recommendations.
Pros: This long-running tour takes you by highly-rated eateries with excellent samples organised by the guide.
Cons: There is a lot of food to consume in a short period of time.
Check Availability
Next Best
Porto: 3-Hour Food Tour – Check Availability
This authentic food tour starts with a genuine Portuguese breakfast followed by a lunch experience in a popular district.
You will taste a variety of local foods, from sweet pastries to savory treats, while learning about Portugal’s rich food culture, history, and architecture.
The tour includes visits to traditional cafes, old shops, and a food market, where you can sample Iberian ham, sardines, cheese, and Northern Portuguese wine.
Spanning approximately three hours and five different spots, one highlight is the chance to savor green wine at a local and traditional establishment.
Petiscos Tour
Petiscos Crawl with Drink Pairings – Check Availability
This culinary tour of Porto takes you on a gastronomic adventure to 4-5 unique food and wine locations, from historic local restaurants to hidden bodegas.
The tour includes visits to bars and traditional restaurants, offering a chance to taste a variety of wines and petiscos (Portuguese small plates) at five different spots.
Iconic sights like the Clérigos Tower and Livraria Lello are part of the journey, adding to the cultural immersion.
With 10-12 petiscos to enjoy, this tour is excellent value for money.
Ready to book your trip? Start by reading my guide to exploring Porto from the water.
Book one of my recommended boutique hotels in Porto for a cool place to stay.
Douro Valley Wine Tour
If you search for food tours in Porto, you’ll notice there are several that come up for wine tours in the Douro Valley. These are hugely popular and generally get good reviews.
But I’ve noticed if you read the less favourable reviews, there is a common theme of poor quality food at the lunch stop which serves relatively basic meals that lack typical Portuguese flavours.
I haven’t taken one of these tours and the guides get excellent reviews, but keep in mind that if the food is important, these might not be the best tours for you.
Tip: Considering the Douro Valley tours are quite expensive, I think you’d be better off spending the tour money in a nice wine bar or restaurant in Porto’s historic centre.
Portuguese Food
At the heart of Portugal’s rich cultural heritage is its diverse and flavourful cuisine, which has been influenced by centuries of history, trade and exploration.
From the famous seafood dishes of Lisbon to the hearty stews of the north, Portuguese cuisine reflects the country’s regional diversity and the bounty of its natural resources.
Local Specialties
As you explore the town, keep an eye out for Porto’s most famous dishes and drinks. Don’t hesitate to try or ask a local where to go.
Here are a few ideas to get you started, but I really suggest taking a food tour to get a local’s perspective.
- Francesinha: A hearty sandwich made with layers of meat, sausage, and cheese, covered in a hot tomato sauce and served with french fries.
- Tripas à Moda do Porto: A traditional dish of Porto made with tripe, white beans, and various types of meat, typically served with rice.
- Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá: A popular codfish dish made with potatoes, onions, garlic, and olives.
- Pastel de Nata: A famous Portuguese pastry with a crispy, flaky crust and a creamy custard filling. They are originally from Belem, but you can find them in Porto, too.
- Port Wine: A sweet fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley near Porto.
- Green Wine: A refreshing, slightly effervescent white wine that is produced in the Minho region of northern Portugal, often served young and chilled.
- Vinho do Porto Tónico: A refreshing cocktail made with Port wine and tonic water served over ice and garnished with a slice of lemon.
- Caldo Verde: A traditional Portuguese soup made with kale, potatoes, and chorizo.
- Petiscos: Small plates of savoury snacks, similar to Spanish tapas, that are typically served with drinks in Porto’s bars and restaurants.
Plan Your Trip
Create an itinerary with my Northern Portugal road trip post that lists where to go.
If you’re planning a trip to Porto and looking for helpful information on the city’s attractions, accommodations, and events, Visit Portugal has a comprehensive section on Porto with all the resources you need to plan your visit.
Responsible Travel Tips
Here are a few ideas on how we can travel more responsibly when eating out in Porto.
- Avoid food waste by ordering only what you can eat and asking to take any leftovers. You can have the leftovers on a picnic the following day, especially if you’re visiting Porto when the weather is warm.
- Consider choosing dishes that support sustainable diets, such as those made with locally sourced, organic ingredients or vegetarian and vegan options.
- Additionally, try to support the local community by choosing family-owned or independent restaurants and buying from places that source ingredients from local farmers and producers.
- To reduce your carbon footprint, use public transport, such as buses or the tram, to get around. Even better, you can explore Porto on foot or by bike. Porto is quite hilly, so I suggest renting an e-bike.
If you have questions or want to leave a tour review, please do so in the comments.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research.
